PLAYING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Published: September 14, 1997

Correction Appended

UPPER WEST SIDE

Visit Little Old New York On Its Eve of Growing Big

Like 1997, 1897 was a mayoral election year in New York, but it marked a watershed in the city's history. The winner would take office on Jan. 1, 1898, the day the city would expand beyond its old territory of Manhattan and most of the Bronx to become the city with today's borders.

The Democratic machine (Tammany Hall), the Republicans and the Citizen's Union all put up candidates, and it was a Tammany candidate, Asa Gardiner, who came up with one of the election's most memorable lines: ''To hell with reform.''

Looking ahead to next year's centennial celebration, the New-York Historical Society has mounted an exhibition on the election. Among its themes is the increased importance of the immigrant vote, as indicated by the poster at top for Seth Low, the Citizen's Union candidate. To the winners go the highway names; the victor in 1897 was the Tammany candidate, Robert A. Van Wyck.

''To Hell With Reform: The Race to Become Mayor of Greater New York,'' New-York Historical Society, through Jan. 4; Wednesdays through Sundays, noon to 5 P.M.; 2 West 77th Street (at Central Park West); $5 adults, $3 for students and people 65 or over; (212) 873-3400.

ST. GEORGE

Water, Water Everywhere; Stories, Stories to Be Told

When ''Lighthouse Kate'' Walker took her children to school on Staten Island, she had to row from their home at the Robbins Reef Lighthouse. If you ride on the Staten Island Ferry this Saturday, you can learn about their home and hear other stories of the harbor told by Edward Gregory. The tour continues to the Staten Island Institute of Arts and Sciences, where participants can see the Staten Island Biennial Juried Craft Exhibition as well as the Staten Island Ferry Collection.

What is old is new again next weekend with the latest installment of a seasonal vintage clothing and textile show.

Offbeat and eccentric clothing from the 1800's through the 1970's will be sold at Metropolitan Antiques by dozens of dealers from as many as 12 states, said the show's manager, Lily Kesselmen. (A faux cheetah and plastic clutch set is shown below.) The 1970's garb will include velvet ''Superfly'' suits for both men and women -- just the thing to wear to a Pam Grier film festival. Designer creations from the likes of Pucci, Christian Dior and Halston will be sold alongside pillows, draperies and quilts. Designers needing inspiration, wardrobe personnel needing a special period piece and people just interested in clothes might all be found here.

All the musical events that have been rained out at Bryant Park will be presented in a marathon Rain-Date Festival; Thursday, noon to 5:45 P.M.; Bryant Park Fountain Stage; 41st Street and Avenue of the Americas; free; (212) 922-9393.

Correction: September 16, 1997, Tuesday An entry on Sunday in the ''Playing in the Neighborhood'' column of the City section, about a musical comedy titled ''Barrio Babies,'' misstated the telephone number for ticket information. It is (212) 239-4324.